The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-01-05
THAT LAND CONTRACT CASE.

regard to the same will be read with
some interest; hence We append the
following able comments in relation
thereto, from the New Orleans Chron-
icle, for the perusal of our readers:
That talented and successful land
lawyer, Col. j. L. Bradford, is an ex-
ception to our bar generally in recog-
nizing the professional propriety of
discussing law and constitutional ques-
tons in the newspapers instead Of rec
ognizing the courts as having exclu-
sive Jurisdiction of such questions.
In Sundays picayune he presents
the issue between himself and the
Register of the land Office in regard to
tbs contract which, by an act of the
Legislature of 1880, the Governor was
authorized to make with some person,
to obtain settlements and definitions
of the States claims to lands donated
by act of Congress.
Governor Wiltz made the contract
with John McEnery. He could have
made it with anyone else on the same
condition. He selected John McEn-
cry as the most competent and expe-
rienced lawyer in the land business,
having been former register Of the
land Office in this State, aud successor
TO his father.
1t is hardly questionable that Gov
ernor Wiltz's appointment was not a
good and judicious one. Col. Brad
ford might have been selected with
equal righteousness had it not been
that the Colonel was largely engaged
in the prosecution of private claims
which were in conflict with those of
the State, in which line Of business
Colonel Bradford has achieved bril-
liant success and it is said handsome
fortune.
Il The contingent fee or consideration
for the services Of this agent or attor-
ney of the State certainly appears very
large. Contingent fees generally are.
They involve, however, great labor,
expense, large outlays, which are al
ways very uncertain of reimbursement.
The requirement of division of the
land, the script or money between the
State and the attorney, before a pat
emit or entry could issue to private par
ties necessarily involve the consent OF
both parties, to give validity to each
issue.
This is the position of the State
r Land Register which Colonel Brad
. ford assails with great vigor on the
ground of it's unconstitutionality and
deliberately argues with legal citation:
and authorities in the columns of thu
Picaynne.
That bold and independent journa
: assumes jurisdiction and without
9 hearing Of the other party, adopt
e Colonel Bradford's views and conclu
: sions and determines the issue with a
much aplomb, as Jove, from his loft.
olympian seat, when he
"Shook his ambrosial curls and gave tn
IS The stamp of fate, the sanction Of God.
i Without adopting either side Of th;
controversy, we think that the propo
sition so ably argued by Colone
d Bradford, that an executive officer 0
e the State shall assume to determin
= tue constitutioDality of an act whic
he is required by the duties of his Of
e fee to execute, has another side tba
+ might be presented with equal abilit
and elaboration.
81 Rev. A. ID. Mayo, who was her
Is in Alexandria acme months back, lee
tnred in New Orleans the other da!
,e and said "When Northern journs
3, lists infist that the South t'is dom
Of very we'll, now" and needs no assis
o. ance, it is we'll enough to reveal ii
lshadow side of the picture. Whe
in sectional prejudice would make tt
~ present South responsible for all TIL
:. now exists in this vast country,
is should be said that no people, nnd
or similar circumstances, have made grea
- or efforts for education"
lie MR.. Blaine is q man who is de
Of ilish sly. He is going it is said
OF Ireland where he will make speech
-, loaded with sympathy for the lri
~ cause, with the view of securing Il
support and votes of the Irish Anne
49, cans at the next election. OF conr